Rising UK talent Ben Sterling returns to Hot Creations with the Fantasee EP, a stunning three track release that features a remix from house heavyweight Jansons. More

Rising star Ben Sterling has already garnered huge support from label co-founder Jamie Jones. Moving into 2019, the talented youngster makes his debut on Hot Creations, delivering three punchy, high-octane tracks this February. The EP kicks of with Surrender - a track that shows no mercy with its heavy drums, hedonistic vocal hooks and a rolling groove. On title track The Energy, Sterling layers breathy vocals over a driving bass, perfect for those 3am losing your mind moments. EP closer, Apathetic Behaviour, is pure unadulterated after-hours fodder. One of the original residents of Josh Butler’s Origins series, Ben Sterling has had tracks signed to Butler’s label of the same name where he joined greats such as Kerri Chandler, Groove Armada and Huxley. Last year saw the young DJ play at the infamous Warehouse Project alongside KiNK, Dennis Cruz, Patrick Topping, Richy Ahmed and Marquis Hawkes. He’s performed at some of dance music’s leading events including Paradise, Elrow and Kaluki. In 2019, Sterling shows no sign of slowing down with events already locked in for Printworks, Hideout and Snowbombing. More

Jessica Brankka makes her debut on Crosstown Rebels with new single ‘Musk’, joined by Audiojack and OMRI. on remix duties. Emerging from Brazil’s ever-evolving house music hotbed to make appearances at major venues across the globe, including Hï Ibiza this summer, DJ and producer Jessica Brankka is fast becoming an artist to keep an eye on. Debuting on Frau Blau alongside Floyd Lavine and racking up support from leading names in Solomun, Joris Voorn, Blond:ish and more, her outings via RADIANT. have only continued to help build and craft her growing sound. Stepping up for her most significant release to date, she joins the Crosstown Rebels family to open September with her new single ‘Musk’ - with remixes coming courtesy of Gruuv head honchos Audiojack and Tel Aviv’s OMRI. Hooky, provocative vocals take hold from the off on ‘Musk’, with Brankka building via slick drum programming, vibrant stabs and sweeping melodies for an intensely catchy production shaped for all hours of the night. First up on remix duties are Crosstown regulars Audiojack, with their take introducing an abundance of additional energy via skippy percussion, zipping bassline grooves and swirling, off-kilter sonics, before launching into heady breakbeat territories. To close, returning Rebellion signee and OMRI. introduces his acid-tinged remix into proceedings, with wandering synth lines carrying the track towards more cosmic spheres. More

Tibi Dabo returns with ‘Overture’, a from his forthcoming Crosstown Rebels album, with remixes from Map.ache and Aline Umber. A label favourite having dropped his ‘Isla’ EP on Crosstown Rebels back in 2022, ahead of his much-anticipated debut LP comes this third superb taster from it. The superb ‘Overture’ is an eight-minute gem with super smooth percussion and elastic grooves, with wispy sci-fi chords and gentle synth modulations. It’s full of future feels and catchy drum funk that is sophisticated and smartly detailed with chopped-up vocal fragments. First to remix is Leipzig’s Map.ache, co-founder of Kann Records and member of the Giegling family. His take builds with fatter drums that are just as infectious, while rippling synth loops weave in and out as flashy basslines cut loose and balmy pads add extra cosmic absence to a hypnotic mix of the heady and the physical. Aline Umber, a collaborative live project from French composers, producers and DJs Aline Brooklyn and Aman Umber, are second to remix. They run the Airfunk label and are no stranger to playing cult spots like Rex Club in Paris. Their ‘23% Eventide’ mix is a blissed-out and synth-laced trip with subtle, smeared chords and starry-eyed keys that have you gazing off into the distance as you get lost in the warm drums. More

Australia-based duo Lunar Disco land on Crosstown Rebels with new single ‘Devil’s Hands’, remixed by house heavyweights Luciano and Anthony Middleton‘Devil’s Hand’ is a low-slung and sleazy take on indie disco. The bass is rough, with wild guitar ri?s adding an extra layer next to the swinging, macho disco drums, while Kate’s steamy vocal brings inviting human soul as psyched-out guitars add a spaghetti western-style energy. The track then comes as a ‘Dirty Club Mix’ by Lunar Disco and Rebellion signee TAYA., opting for a rubbery groove for the back room, with moody bass and electronic pulses taking it deep into the night. Swiss-Chilean minimal maestro, long-time cult underground hero, and Cadenza boss Luciano heads up the B-side as he draws on his Latin heritage to cook up intricate percussive grooves across his remix to lock in listeners. His drums are rolling but heavy, and the claps and hits are layered carefully into an infectious tangle that never lets up. As both one half of Audiofly and on his own, final remixer Anthony Middleton has been at the heart of the house scene for many years, featuring as a vital presence in Ibiza each summer. His remix is sparse, with cosmic synths unfolding over elastic drums and bass. It’s subtle but emotionally intense and will make for a perfect late-night trip. More

Catz ‘n Dogz make a standout debut on Crosstown Rebels with two compelling new house tracks on ‘Can’t Stand’, complete with a remix from leftfield innovator Robag Wruhme. A pairing whose renowned reputation has been built and shaped across an illustrious career, Polish duo Grzegorz Demiañczuk and Wojciech Tarañczuk, aka Catz’ n Dogz, have been serving up their own diverse and varied take on house for more than fifteen years. Founders of their own Pets Recordings imprint, in that time they have released on esteemed labels, from Diynamic to Defected, Glitterbox to Watergate and more, while playing at almost every major club and festival across the globe. Their fresh in-between sounds and knack for cooking up curious and impactful sounds have made them mainstays of the scene, and that run of stellar releases continues here with a debut appearance on Crosstown Rebels as they link with ZenSoFly for ‘Can’t Stand’ - with longstanding German favourite Robag Wruhme on remix duties. Opener ‘Can’t Stand’ sees the pair reunite with vocalist ZenSoFly, a talent they’ve worked with on notable hits like ‘Wave.’ Her vocals bring soul and attitude over a tight, rubbery and sleazy house beat, underpinned with a heavy bassline - providing the sort of chunky cut to lock in a dancefloor and make it march in unison. Robag Wruhme has been a Pampa label mainstay and famously curveball producer for many years with his scintillating blend of minimalism, melody and unusual sound sources. That is the case again with this remix, a dark workout that hurries along on snappy drums, detuned vocals and scuzzed up, droning synths to ensure maximum impact. The EP is closed out with ‘Wake Up’, a widescreen and atmospheric cut packed with detail. The bassline is taught, freaky vocals echo within the mix, and synths spray about to dramatic effect, delivering another full flavour house cut with a dark soul and futuristic designs. More

Carla Durisch unveils her debut EP ‘I Just Wanna Dance’ on Crosstown Rebels, with long-standing label favourite and close friend Seth Troxler on remix duties. An exciting name who looks set for a breakout year in 2023, DJ/producer Carla Durisch is an artist whose passion and deep- rooted understanding of electronic music led to her being marked as a talent to keep an eye on. An integral part of the Swiss electronic and club landscape through residencies at the likes of Nordstern (Basel), plus both Hive and Zukunft (Zurich), her recent explorations within the studio have seen her deep and groove-led style translate into her own productions. These explorations are on display for the very first time as she debuts on Damian Lazarus’ renowned Crosstown Rebels imprint, following appearances at Get Lost in Miami and Watergate Berlin, plus forthcoming Ibiza sets alongside the label boss this summer at Hï. Led by the captivating words of Nanghiti and Carla’s own vocals ‘I Just Wanna Dance’ is a warping and colourful ride through rich synths, refined drums and bright stabs as it builds and descends across an engrossing near-seven-minute journey. Next, ‘Be The Thing is a stripped-back, hypnotic house e?ort as snaking percussion merges with sharp lead melodies and further vocal interjections. Needing little introduction, Seth Troxler’s remix of the title cut is an example of the American at his best, fusing bubbling acid-dipped bass patterns with skittering percussion and surging synth lines for a trippy, late-night take. To close, ‘4AM’ picks up those early hours sonics as crisp claps, echoed vox snippets and dubby grooves take a hold. More

Parallelle join forces with Nicolas Masseyeff once again for ‘Renegade’ on Crosstown Rebels, featuring a remix from Adam Ten & Mita Gami. Collaborating previously on DGTL, having known each other for years, Dutch brother duo Parallelle and France’s Nicolas Masseyeff have created a partnership within the studio that clicks. Parallelle are multi-instrumentalists, composers, producers, and Klassified Records owners with a hybrid sound that mixes up electronica, electro-jazz and underground house, while Masseyeff is equally accomplished and draws on minimalism, jazz, new wave, Detroit and Chicago when crafting his signature sound on the likes of Systematic Recordings and Diversions Music. Linking up again, the three talents combine for a first outing on Crosstown Rebels with ‘Renegade’. Up first is title track ‘Renegade’, a deep mid-tempo house shuffler. The drums are elegant and airy, with bright chords and a rasping baseline. It’s a real mood builder with dramatic synth sweeps that brings a sense of class to the dance floor. Israeli artists Adam Ten & Mita Gami have been a creative force for the last couple of years, and their ‘High On’ EP on Crosstown Rebels last year gained huge success, defining a new movement of psychedelic house sounds. Their remix of ‘Renegade’ offers a slowly unfolding masterclass with moving melodies and modulated synths casting a captivating spell. Last of all is ‘Bandidos’, another deep and subtle track infused with rich synth work. The bright lines and deft pads are lithe and loose over the underlapping drums, encouraging you to gaze in awe as you get lost in the mellifluous groove. More

Red Axes return to Crosstown Rebels with their absorbing new single ‘Relax Shiva’, featuring a remix from DJ Gregory. An electronic duo at the forefront of house and techno, Tel-Aviv-based pairing Dori Sadovnik and Niv Arzi, aka Red Axes, continue to advance and develop their own ever-evolving eccentric and idiosyncratic sound. Informed by new wave and post-punk through to electronic genres across the spectrum, their releases on Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound, Jennifer Cardini’s Correspondant and Life and Death, coupled with recent material on Higher Ground and Shall Not Fade, have welcomed a plethora of varying soundscapes. This versatility and range is something they explore once again as they return to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels - following on from 2015’s ‘Sabor’ - with their latest single, ‘Relax Shiva’. An intensely hypnotic and entrancing effort that slowly wanders and creeps between sounds and spheres covering all hours of the night, the warping ‘Relax Shiva’ utilises resounding and deep organic percussion alongside a spiralling deeply rooted acid line at its core to guide the trance-inducing vocal calls across a near-eight-minute trip. Providing the remix on the package, Parisian house legend DJ Gregory, aka Point G, harnesses the vocals while introducing crisp, rolling drums and winding melodies, a sure-fire remix BOMB! More

Electronic duo Pale Blue returns to Crosstown Rebels with their long-awaited sophomore album ‘Maria’, revealing a spellbinding eight-track trip across electronic spheres. After forming their critically acclaimed Pale Blue project with their debut album ‘The Past We Leave Behind’ in 2015, Mike Simonetti (Italians Do It Better) and Elizabeth Wight (Silver Hands) have only furthered intrigue and interest in the years since, uniting for a series of expansive EPs on Simonetti’s own 2MR imprint exploring dancefloor-focused acid through to gripping electronica. Having already o?ered a first look and preview into their long-awaited album return via three singles on the label, with remixes provided by DJ Tennis, Kölsch, Fort Romeau and Perel, mid-May sees Simonetti, and Wight finally reveal their sophomore album ‘Maria’ on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels - o?ering a uniquely raw yet seamlessly polished trip into their idiosyncratic world. “‘Maria’ is an album of love songs - the good, the bad, and the ugly… The album is written entirely in Elizabeth’s voice. These are all her words - her thoughts, based on her personal experience. When writing this record I took inspiration from classic rock LP sequencing, and tried to dial in on a coherent concept, a natural flow. Although these are clearly techno tracks, one would argue they have more in common with rock music than dance music. I wanted to try make something a little di?erent, verse/chorus/verse tracks but still heavy enough for the club, full of melody and emotion… poppy but not THAT kind of poppy. Pale Blue has been known to take on political subject matter in the past, but the politics of love is something we can all relate to.” - Mike Simonetti. Opening with the slow-blooming and beautifully crafted dreamlike melodies of the aptly titled ‘Spells’, the eight-track long-player navigates and traverses the broader realms of electronica through to lighter pop-influenced touches and sonics for an absorbing and compelling dive. ‘Dive’, the first single from the project, provides a hazy but resonant web of polyrhythms and textures guided by Wight’s captivating vocals, while ‘Laura’ reaches for sparkling leads synths amongst sweeping tones and moments of bliss. O?ering up change to the aesthetic ‘Ice Is Falling’ is a stripped-back and haunting production as Wight’s vocals carry eerie tones and pockets of space for a hair-raising e?ort. The second half of the project welcomes second and third singles ‘No Words’ and ‘Together Alone’, with the playful tones of the former complementing the wistful and floaty soundscapes of the latter for two tracks to keep listeners in a trance. Closing out the package, ‘The New Year’ is a delightfully worked pop-leaning gem built on electronic foundations with a slinking acid-tinged bassline snaking through the mix, before shaping things up with the anthemic and rosy glow of final track ‘The Last Song’. Further emphasising Simonetti and Wight’s innate connection and bond when creating and crafting music, ‘Maria’ is an exemplary display of the two at their best across a collection of eight productions straddling the electronic-pop border with poise and aplomb. More

Damian Lazarus celebrates 20 Years of his world-renowned Crosstown Rebels imprint with a special album project of unreleased cuts and fresh remixes, featuring material from Black Coffee, Maceo Plex, Art Department, Dennis Cruz and many more.Comprised of six stellar, high-profile remixes of releases from the label’s catalogue, alongside two previously unreleased original gems, the eight-track package is a rich and exemplary showcase of the far-reaching corners of the Crosstown Rebels sound and also its globally connected family of artists and close friends.Opening the package, Lazarus’ own 2020 collaboration ‘Into The Sun’ with regular Crosstown vocalist Jem Cooke is given a cosmic rework by Johannesburg’s Major League DJz, while Jamie Jones’ slick ‘Paradise 2011’ is stripped back and given a new lease of life by the hypnotic and heady sounds of Art Department. Opening the B-Side, Dennis Cruz brings his percussive Latin-infused signature sound palette to Chilean musician and producer Pier Bucci’s ‘Hay Consuelo’, before Audiojack’s ‘Feel Good’, another standout collaboration alongside Cooke, is taken into synth-led territories as Michael Mayer reaches for an evolving bed of captivating tones. The second half of the project brings more excellently remixed material, both new and old, with GRAMMY-winning DJ/producer Black Co?ee turning his hand to the label’s first release of 2023 in Made By Pete and Zoe Kypri’s emotive ‘Horizon Red’, unveiling reworked melodies and sparkling keys as he delivers an interpretation of a track which has featured as a staple in his sets. Next, the project welcomes Adam Ten & Yamagucci’s playful yet o?-kilter and wonky ‘The K Dance’ which unveils itself as a production perfect for those late night hours and early afters, before Ellum boss Maceo Plex’s ‘Together (2011 Mix)’ brings another lost production to the mix with a driving and zipping ride through sugary synths and soaring leads. To close, Tibi Dabo turns his attention to Guti & Dubshape’s absorbing ‘Every Cow Has A Bird’, delivering a nimble minimal-led trip through lush pads and crisp percussion to round things out in style. More

Pale Blue unveil the penultimate single from their forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels with ‘Together Alone’, accompanied by a driving and hypnotic remix from Kölsch. Artists with renowned solo careers alongside their ever-evolving journey as the critically acclaimed duo Pale Blue, Mike Simonetti and Elizabeth Wight continue to showcase why their collaborative material is much-loved from all corners of the electronic realm and beyond. Arriving on the heels of the release of the playful and charming ‘No Words’, the pair return to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels with the third and penultimate single ahead of their forthcoming album release as they switch up the mood and veer into wistful territories across the absorbing ‘Together Alone’ - backed by a remix from Kompakt mainstay and electronic heavyweight, Kölsch. A carefully created journey across almost eight minutes, ‘Together Alone’ is an exemplary showcase of balance and restrain as delicate melodies and hazy tones float amongst subtle nimble percussion arrangements, blooming synths and Wight’s captivating vocals for a deep dive into dreamy spheres. Bringing his own take to the record, Danish electronic pioneer Kölsch heads to Crosstown Rebels with his excellent crafted ‘I Have You’ remix, as he builds on the original with a powerful and emphatic introduction of anthemic leads, crisp kicks and a warping bassline rooted at the track’s core to transport the production firmly into the heart of the dancefloor. More

Matador makes his debut appearance on Crosstown Rebels with his absorbing new EP ‘My Yellow Coat’, accompanied a remix from NYC house and techno favourite Levon Vincent. An outstandingly technical live artist, DJ and producer, Matador, real name Gavin Lynch, has a prolific discography with releases on renowned labels such as Minus, Hot Creations, and Cocoon. A resident at Richie Hawtin’s iconic ENTER series in Ibiza, the past decade has seen the Irish talent tour the globe consistently with performances at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and clubs, including Awakenings, TimeWarp, and Neopop, while featuring in Resident Advisor’s ‘Tip 20 Live Acts’ on three separate occasions. ‘My Yellow Coat’ marks his first appearance on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels, describing the debut as “a result all round” with the imprint featuring as a personal favourite of his over the years. The EP features two original tracks, ‘My Yellow Coat’ and ‘What You Say Is So’, showcasing a dynamic approach to electronic music with a deep dive into rich beds of emotive and spellbinding tones. Title track ‘My Yellow Coat’ is a slow-blooming and delightfully suspenseful production guided by the track’s charming vocals as soft synth melodies and refined percussion build gracefully across its eight-minute duration. . Novel Sound boss Levon Vincent’s dynamic interpretation of the title cut welcomes a new side to his expansive sound, building on his distinctive sound palette and welcoming a shift towards faster realms. More

Dino Lenny returns to Crosstown Rebels with his latest single ‘I’ve Learned That’, accompanied by remixes from Shadow Child and Jonathan Kaspar - plus his own take with Fed Conti. A regular on labels including Afterlife, Ellum, Innervisions, and Diynamic, London-based Italian-born DJ/producer and Fine Human Records boss Dino Lenny’s solo and collaborative catalogue continues to grow as he features as one of the most consistent names within the worlds of house and techno. Having released his first EP on the label in 2019, he now returns to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels for a second outing with the release of his touching new single ‘I’ve Learned That’ - which is one of a collection of records dedicated to his daughter - with remixes from Shadow Child, Jonathan Kaspar, and his own interpretation alongside Fed Conti. Shaped by emotive piano keys, blooming strings and refined drums, ‘I’ve Learned’ showcases a rich and heartwarming production taking cues from dance music and beyond as the track’s uplifting and inspiring vocals carry the production across nine minutes of delight. Beginning the transition towards more traditional electronic spheres, his remix alongside Fed Conti utilises vibrant guitar licks and a luminous bassline to head into a late-night discovery of disco influences. Next, Shadow Child’s ‘Classic Mix’ is a skippy house gem as bumping low-ends work amongst hazy chords, with Jonathan Kaspar’s remix moving deeper via surging synths for a hypnotic and thrilling ride to close. More

Electronic duo Pale Blue return to Crosstown Rebels with ‘No Words’, the second single from their forthcoming album ‘Maria’, with remixes from DJ Tennis and Perel. Italians Do It Better founder Mike Simonetti and Silver Hands’ Elizabeth Wight’s rich and storied careers within the electronic realm and beyond only elevated further with the launch of their Pale Blue project in 2015, unveiling a series of critically acclaimed releases via Simonetti’s 2MR imprint with plaudits including Pitchfork, FACT and Resident Advisor, to name just a few. Having provided the first look into their forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels entitled ‘Maria’, scheduled for release on the label later this year, the pair return to open March with the second single from the project, ‘No Words’ - accompanied by remixes from DJ Tennis and Perel. Detailing the backstory to the record, Simonetti notes both upcoming single ‘No Words’ and the majority of the tracks on the duo’s forthcoming album project were made on the exact synths used to create Jaydee’s iconic 1993 hit, ‘Plastic Dreams’. Guided by a captivating bassline accented by Wight’s charming vocals, which flutter amongst the mix, ‘No Words’ is a hooky and compelling production that ebbs and flows across its near five-minute duration with effortless ease, capturing the playful nature alluded to by Simonetti. Life and Death head honcho DJ Tennis’ remix arrives next, veering down a hazy yet absorbing path as crisp organic drums and engrossing melodies form around the vocals and journey through light and dark textures. The B-side of the record belongs to DJ/producer, vocalist and DFA Records favourite Perel, offering a cosmic dive through spacey synths, skittering bleeps and pops, and tough kicks across her take on the production - before distorting and warping the vocals and shifting the emphasis on the ever-evolving electronics across her ‘Dub Version’. More

The Deepshakerz unite with Aaron Pfeiffer for their Crosstown Rebels debit ‘Fire’, back by a remix from, Cameron Jack. Italian duo Domy Berardino and Mirco Sonatore, aka The Deepshakerz, continue to evolve their take on house music after a decade in the game - releasing material on their Safe Music imprint alongside globally renowned labels including Saved, Cajual, Circus, Moon Harbour and Knee Deep In Sound. Linking up with Miami-based singer/songwriter Aaron Pfei?er, the iconic voice of Jaden Thompson’s ‘Closer’, the trio of talents make their debut on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels with the vibrant ‘Fire’, with fellow debutant and Abracadabra singee Cameron Jack on remix duties. A blissful yet driving production guided by Pfei?er’s alluring vocals, ‘Fire’ is a resonant house o?ering combining crisp drums with an infectious wavering lead melody, while Cameron Jack’s take strips things back and crafts a medley of organic percussion grooves around the original’s charming vocal interludes. More

New York DJ, producer and Maya Records founder Joeski returns to Crosstown Rebels in December. Jah Unite pays tribute to Joeski's long-running appreciation for Reggae dub with two tracks of stripped-back house with a roots twist. The title track opens with minimal drums and a saxophone-led melody. Joeski stitches reggae vocals across the breakdown, evoking a gorgeous, sun-kissed soundscape. On In This Life, the producer layers snappy percussion with distant drum rolls and laidback keys while Reggae vocals wind through the atmosphere. An irresistible groove. Brooklyn-born Joeski began his DJing journey in 1989, honing his craft throughout the 90s in some of the finest New York-based clubs like Limelight, Tunnel and The Roxy. Today, Joeski is an established producer, selector and boss of the long-running label Maya. He's released classic to contemporary sounds on labels like NRK, Ministry of Sound, Defected, Bedrock, Nervous, Cajual and KMS, further adding to his credibility as a critical talent in the house and techno realms. As a DJ, Joeski has performed across the Americas and Canada, building a loyal fanbase. Although he's been on the scene for over three decades, Joeski doesn't rest on his laurels. He constantly evolves his approach while staying grounded in the process. In other words, he's a real one. More

Made By Pete returns to Crosstown Rebels as he links up with Zoe Kypri for the anthemic ‘Horizon Red’ and features a brilliant remix courtesy of Damian Lazarus. Born and raised in London, DJ and producer Made By Pete has flourished in recent years, making appearances around the globe from Set Underground (Tulum) and fabric (London) to Off Week (Barcelona) and beyond. Gaining plaudits from leading names in Damian Lazarus, Keinemusik and Pete Tong, to name just a few, the UK talent has crafted a string of stand-out releases via the likes of Flying Circus, RADIANT and Crosstown Rebels. Having first touched down on the imprint in 2018 alongside Jem Cooke for ‘So Long’, with two further appearances since, he opens the label’s 2023 schedule alongside R&B, jazz and Neo-soul singer/songwriter Zoe Kypri for the gripping sonics of ‘Horizon Red’. A dynamic track guided by rich chords, rolling organic percussion and Kypri’s powerful yet graceful vocals, ‘Horizon Red’ is a euphoric and captivating journey balancing energetic builds with deeper moments, while Pete’s Dub strips things back as spiralling synths and hazy atmospheres take hold for a late-night trip. The B Side features a mesmerizing, awe-inspiring Remix courtesy of Crosstown Rebels Label Boss, Damian Lazarus. More